Secret Agent Man: The Ultimate Johnny Rivers Anthology 1964-2006

by Anthony Pizza Roots-rocker Johnny Rivers dedicated the songs on "Secret Agent Man" - and by extension, his career - to "the grand master, C.B. (Chuck Berry)," who jams with Rivers in an opposing page photo. It's not surprising, as this fine 2CD set shows an artist flying under the radar, jump-starting and maintaining a more than 40-year career playing groove-driven, no nonsense rock, blues, and country covers. Disc One covers Rivers' hits for the Imperial and United Artists labels (1964-73), and its first eight tunes drop you onto the Whiskey-A-Go Go's dance floor circa 1965. Rivers, bassist Joe Osborn and producer Lou Adler created an infectious series of fortified live hits ("Memphis," "Midnight Special," "Muddy Water") whose stinging guitar, groove-driven base and even hand claps sound better than ever with 21st century remastering. Rivers was among the era's few stars of the early stars- Dion immediately comes to mind - who smoothly transitioned mid-decade to folk-rock's introspective approach. This stems not only from the memorable Beatles line in "Summer Rain," but lush, soulful Motown covers (1967's "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" and "Tracks of My Tears") and 1966's co-written #1 masterpiece, "Poor Side of Town." No Rivers cover here, from Berry to Van Morrison to Bob Dylan, tops its original ("Positively 4th Street," where Rivers substitutes heartfelt anger for the original's sneer, comes closest). But each respects the original, and Rivers delivers them gimmick-free in his trademark Cajun, R&B-flavored voice. Disc Two cleans up his other 70s hits, then slides into first-rate oldies covers recorded over the last 15 years. He rocks on Memphis' Sun catalogue ("That's Alright Mama," "Big River," "Matchbox,") in tribute to legendary guitarist Carl Perkins, and sings jangly mid-60s folk-rock (the Beatles' "I'll Be Back," the Byrds' "Feel A Whole Lot Better." Those only knowing Rivers from Disc One's hits will be pleasantly surprised: he's in fine voice and in full command of songs he's loved and built his career around. That career, left Rivers painfully short of superstardom but with 30 million records sold and many memorable hits. He crossed paths with seminal figures and events like Alan Freed, the Monterey Pop festival, the songs of Jimmy Webb and even country-rockers like the Eagles and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Rivers wrote and recorded with extended members of those groups). If he doesn't make Rock and Roll's Hall of Fame, Johnny Rivers should be hired as a curator; "Secret Agent Man" shows him a first-class steward of classic American rock and roll.